Stewart Walters fell two runs short of securing Glamorgan's first century of the season but they built a useful second-innings lead on the third day of their Division Two clash with Essex at Cardiff.

Walters made 98 to follow up his first-innings 67, while captain Mark Wallace struck an unbeaten 61 as Glamorgan reached the close on 303 for 6, a lead of 189 going into the final day.

Essex resumed on 343 for 9 but their first innings lasted just three more balls. Graham Napier added two runs before he edged Michael Hogan to Jim Allenby at slip, giving the bowler career-best figures of 6 for 70.

Essex finished on 345, missing out on a fourth batting bonus point, but held a useful 114-run first-innings lead.

In a dramatic start to the Glamorgan second innings David Masters struck with
his second ball to remove Ben Wright. Will Bragg and Walters rallied in a bid to reduce the deficit with Glamorgan reaching the 50-run mark in the 12th over.

Bragg looked in good touch until he went lbw to Ravi Bopara on 42 to leave Glamorgan 65 for two. And before lunch Marcus North became Masters' second victim, the bowler breaking through the Australian's defence.

Glamorgan reached lunch on 80 for 3, with Essex still well placed, but Walters and Murray Goodwin wiped out Essex's lead in the 40th over before rain heralded an early tea at 157 for 3.

Essex fought back briefly in the evening session. Goodwin fell eight short of his second half-century of the season, caught behind off Reece Topley, before Allenby was bowled by Masters for 11.

Much depended on Walters and the out-of-form Wallace if Glamorgan were to leave Essex a challenging run chase.

Glamorgan's lead was 120 when slow left-armer Tim Phillips snared the important wicket of Walters, who edged behind, leaving the batsman agonisingly short of his century.

But Wallace, who reached his first half-century of the season from 90 balls, and Graham Wagg (32 not out) added 69 for the seventh wicket as the hosts reached stumps with their tails up.